If you’ve been following Jersey politics lately, you know it’s been a wild ride. Honestly, "chaotic" might be an understatement. For the first time in a decade, the answer to who are the senators of nj has officially changed, and it wasn’t just a simple swap. We’ve moved past the headlines of gold bars and courtrooms and entered a totally new era for the Garden State in D.C.
Right now, as we sit in early 2026, New Jersey is represented in the U.S. Senate by Cory Booker and Andy Kim.
It’s a powerful duo, but the path to get here was anything but straightforward. You’ve got Booker, the high-energy "senior" senator who’s been a fixture for years, and Kim, the history-making newcomer who basically blew up the state’s political machine to get his seat.
The Senior Senator: Cory Booker’s Staying Power
Cory Booker has been in the Senate since 2013. That feels like a lifetime ago. Before that, he was the mayor of Newark, a job that basically made him a national celebrity. You might remember the stories of him running into burning buildings to save neighbors or shoveling snow for residents who tweeted at him.
In Washington, he’s become a heavy hitter. He sits on the Judiciary Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, and the Agriculture Committee. He’s obsessed with criminal justice reform—he was a lead architect of the First Step Act—and he’s constantly talking about "environmental justice" and "baby bonds."
But here is the thing: Booker is up for reelection. The 2026 midterm cycle is already kicking into gear. While he’s considered a "Solid D" favorite by groups like the Cook Political Report, he isn’t taking it for granted. You’ll likely see him all over the state this year, from Cape May to High Point, leaning into that trademark "radical love" rhetoric he’s famous for.
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The New Guy: How Andy Kim Flipped the Script
Now, let's talk about Andy Kim. If you're asking who are the senators of nj because you noticed a new name on the ballot recently, Kim is the reason.
His rise is kinda legendary in political circles. He was a three-term Congressman from South Jersey (the 3rd District). Most people knew him as the guy who was photographed picking up trash in the Capitol rotunda after the January 6th riots. That image went viral because it felt so... normal. No cameras, no ego, just a guy cleaning up.
When former Senator Bob Menendez got indicted on federal bribery charges in late 2023, Kim didn’t wait around. He announced his run for the seat almost immediately.
He didn't just run against a person; he ran against the "system." New Jersey used to have this thing called "the line"—basically a way for county party bosses to put their hand-picked candidates in a special spot on the ballot, making them nearly impossible to beat. Kim sued. And he won.
Breaking Down the 2024 Election Shift
The transition was messy. After Menendez was convicted and eventually resigned in August 2024, Governor Phil Murphy didn't just put Kim in right away. He appointed George Helmy, his former chief of staff, to hold the seat temporarily. Helmy was basically a placeholder, a "caretaker" who promised not to run for the permanent spot.
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Then came the 2024 general election.
Kim faced off against Republican Curtis Bashaw, a hotel developer from Cape May. Bashaw tried to run as a moderate, pro-choice Republican, which is usually the only way the GOP can win in Jersey. But Kim had too much momentum. He won by a comfortable margin—about 53% to 44%.
A few firsts to keep in mind about Senator Kim:
- He is the first Korean-American ever elected to the U.S. Senate.
- He’s the first Asian-American to represent New Jersey in the Senate.
- He’s the first person from South Jersey to hold a Senate seat in about 70 years.
What Do They Actually Do for New Jersey?
It’s easy to think of these guys as just names on a screen, but their committees dictate a lot of what happens in our backyards.
Booker’s work on the Judiciary Committee means he has a direct say in who becomes a federal judge in New Jersey. That matters for everything from corporate law to civil rights. Kim, with his background as a national security aide in the Obama administration, is expected to be a major voice on foreign policy and veterans' affairs.
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They also have to bring home the "bacon." Think Gateway Tunnel funding. Think beach replenishment after a storm. Think keeping the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst open and funded.
| Senator | Party | Seniority | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Booker | Democrat | Senior | Justice Reform, Agriculture, Newark Development |
| Andy Kim | Democrat | Junior | National Security, Healthcare, Anti-Corruption |
What’s Next for Jersey Voters?
If you live in NJ, the political calendar never really stops. Since you now know who are the senators of nj, the next logical step is watching how they vote.
Booker is entering his reelection year, so expect a lot of high-profile legislation from his office as he builds his case for another six years. Kim, as the junior senator, is still setting up his office and hiring staff to handle the massive volume of "casework" (that’s when you call your senator because the IRS is ignoring you or your passport is stuck).
Your Action Plan
Don't just be a passive observer. If you care about how New Jersey is represented, do these three things:
- Check their voting records: Use a site like GovTrack or ProPublica’s Represent to see if Booker and Kim are actually voting the way they said they would.
- Sign up for their newsletters: It’s the easiest way to see what they’re bragging about. Sometimes it’s fluff, but it often includes info on local grants or town halls.
- Save their contact info: If you have a problem with a federal agency, their offices are literally paid to help you. Booker’s Newark office and Kim’s new regional offices are your go-to resources.
New Jersey’s Senate duo is currently one of the most interesting in the country—one veteran politician with national ambitions and one "outsider" who broke the state's most powerful political tool. It’ll be fascinating to see how they work together through 2026.
I can help you look up the specific contact information for their regional offices in Camden, Newark, or Jersey City if you need to reach out to them directly.